Fansided

5 moves the Bruins can make to get back to the playoffs

By Bruin Belisle

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at TD Garden on April 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 7-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, left, and Anton Khudobin, right, sit on the bench late in the third period as Khudobin was pulled for a sixth player. The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden in Boston on April 21, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, left, and Anton Khudobin, right, sit on the bench late in the third period as Khudobin was pulled for a sixth player. The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden in Boston on April 21, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

3. Sign a serviceable backup (CHECK)

Anton Khudobin was one of the better back-up goaltenders in the league during his 2017-18 campaign. He provided the B’s with a .913 save percentage and 2.56 goals-against average in 31 games, going 16-6 and providing the team with a trustworthy back stop when Tuukka Rask was either resting or not playing well.

(Bonus points for you if you follow “Anton Khudobin News” on Twitter)

Given that “Dobi” signed with the Dallas Stars, The Bruins went ahead and signed Jaroslav Halak to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million per. Halak was one of the better options available and is ready to step into his role as a back-up to Tuukka Rask.

Thankfully, the Bruins have a trustworthy starter in Rask (yes, he is trustworthy now). While the Finnish net-minder has taken some criticism in the past, he proved in 2018 that he is in-fact clutch when he needs to be. When you back-stop for guys like Marchand, Pastrnak and Bergeron, an average game is likely going to be enough on most nights anyway.

Written the day before Halak signing:

“While Carter Hutton, Cam Ward and Jon Bernier have already been linked to other teams, the Bruins could still pick up a tender like Jaroslav Halak (.908, 3.09 in 52 games in 2017) who has been known to get hot for stretches in the past.”

Pat on the back to me for nailing this one. 2019 Jaro Halak will provide the Bruins with what Khudobin provided last season. No one is asking him to be great, but he will be good enough to give Rask the rest needed to be sharp during the playoffs.

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